corrosive

adjective

cor·​ro·​sive kə-ˈrō-siv 

-ziv

1

: tending or having the power to corrode

corrosive acids

corrosive action

the corrosive effects of alcoholism

2

: bitingly sarcastic

corrosive satire

corrosive noun

corrosively adverb

corrosiveness noun

Synonyms of corrosive

• sarcastic
• satiric
• acidic
• acid
• barbed
• caustic

Examples of corrosive in a Sentence

She argues that racism is dangerous and corrosive to society.

a corrosive satire on the fashion industry and its movers and shakers

Recent Examples on the Web

Besides proving out helium-3 extraction methods, another hurdle for Interlune’s Prospect Moon will be enduring the moon’s corrosive, adhesive lunar dust. —Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 14 May 2026

After being tested for airtightness, helium was pumped into the glass enclosure through thin tubes inserted into the lead lining, to protect the document from corrosive oxygen and parasites. —Literary Hub, 13 May 2026

There were no gloves, no masks in sight –– nothing to separate workers skin from corrosive substances or their lungs from the fumes. —Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 9 May 2026

Using magnetic fields, this system enables power transfer to electric ships without physical metal contact, shielding vital components from nature’s corrosive elements. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corrosif, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin corrōsīvus, from Latin corrōsus, past participle of corrōdere "to gnaw, corrode" + -īvus -ive

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing corrosive

• corrosive sublimate

Rhymes for corrosive

• erosive
• explosive
• noncorrosive
• plosive

Kids Definition

corrosive

adjective

cor·​ro·​sive kə-ˈrō-siv 

-ziv

: tending or having the power to corrode

corrosive acids

corrosive noun

corrosively adverb

corrosiveness noun

Medical Definition

corrosive

1 of 2 adjective

cor·​ro·​sive -ˈrō-siv, -ziv 

: tending or having the power to corrode

corrosive acids

a corrosive gas

corrosiveness noun

corrosive

2 of 2 noun

: a substance that corrodes : caustic